NDP observes National Aboriginal Day by shining light on issues

June 21, 2016

Today, on the 20th National Aboriginal Day, the NDP continued to stand up and call for true progress on the path to reconciliation by having each member of the caucus raise a specific Indigenous issue in Question Period.

“This is a day to celebrate the rich history and contributions of all Indigenous peoples in Saskatchewan,” said NDP Leader Trent Wotherspoon. “But we also have to recognize all the ways that Indigenous peoples have been and continue to be let down in this province. It’s vitally important that we work together to address these critically important issues and build together toward true reconciliation.”

Among the issues raised in Question Period were the lack of mental health services in northern Saskatchewan; the high rate of Indigenous unemployment; the exclusion of Indigenous peoples from the Senior Citizens’ Ambulance Assistance Program; and the funding cuts to heritage language schools throughout the province.

Wotherspoon also talked about how it’s important that the province take an active role in closing the funding gap in First Nations education and called on the Premier to continue working together to ensure the federal government fulfills its promise to so.

“This government must demonstrate political will and we must all do what we can to move forward and build a stronger Saskatchewan together,” Wotherspoon said.